Ebert ‘Living Out What She Said She Wanted To Do’
Mar 03, 2023 | Women's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
There's a young woman like her in almost every small town across America. The only difference is Emilee Ebert made it happen. Ebert chased her dreams. She achieved her dreams. She lived out the story that she'll talk about years from now at dinner parties. It's breathtaking, really, when you think about it, how an 8-year-old girl set her course at such an early age with visions of playing for her home state team, and made it happen.
Ebert set sail on a journey out of Frankfort, Kansas, that took her 42 miles south to major women's college basketball in Manhattan.
So often in life, things go undone. The best-intentioned plans fall apart. Other things, respectfully, and ultimately, take precedence. But not for Ebert. She was hooked on Kansas State and didn't let go. She played AAU basketball for Ohlde Elite and starred at Frankfort High School, playing under her father Brian, building toward her big chance.
"She said that she was going to do it and she got to do it," Brian says. "She's living out what she said she wanted to do."
For all of her life, she's been a dream chaser.
"I don't know what the percentage is, but most don't get that dream," K-State head coach Jeff Mittie says. "That's pretty special. It goes by fast. It's pretty special for her to do what she's done."
There were times she wasn't certain if her opportunity would come.
She was two days from going to Missouri State. She had signed with Missouri State. Then they had a coaching change. So Ebert was open to change as well. K-State associate head coach Brian Ostermann offered her a scholarship. She accepted the offer, drove to Manhattan one week later, and never looked back.
And now she's here, drawing close to her final game at Bramlage Coliseum, the place that's been like a second home for the past four years. She'll go out and do what she's enjoyed for so many years, and she'll play a game of basketball against Texas at 4 p.m. Saturday. For the Wildcats. Then she'll be recognized on Senior Day at midcourt in a postgame ceremony. She'll hug her family. She might tear up.
"This has meant the world to me," Ebert says. "This is where I always wanted to play. I was watching Kendra Wecker. I knew I wanted to play basketball here. It really means the world to me."
She was 3 years old the first time she picked up a basketball. One of the first words out her mouth was "ball." She was the ultimate gym rat before she rode a bike. Brian was head basketball coach at Frankfort High School. She dribbled the ball during practice. Then she began to shoot baskets. As she grew older, she challenged the boys to a game of PIG or HORSE. And she usually won.
She's been a part of many great wins at K-State and NCAA Tournaments and she's been a part of some stewing losses and she's played practically every position on the court at one time or another. Her father calls her "well rounded." And maybe that's the best way to put it. Ebert is well rounded. Always has been. She's been described as a playmaker. She's been described as the glue. Now she's the team's only active fourth-year senior and she's nearing the end of her career.
"It's kind of a surreal feeling," she says.
She's played in 112 games with 60 starts. She's averaged 21.0 minutes per game over her career. She has scored 530 points, grabbed 303 rebounds, dished out 227 assists, and has recorded 62 steals and 36 blocks. She has made 160 field goals, including 50 3-pointers, and has made 160 free throws.
"She's one of the smartest players we've had," Mittie says. "She's filled a lot of roles. She really is like a coach on the floor. She's been a really valuable piece."
She returns to Frankfort. Some people say, "Oh, that's Emilee. I've known her my whole life." But eyes open wide whenever she reads to classes at an elementary school. The kids, they look up to their hometown hero. And that's what she is: A hero to many.
"I'd say never stop chasing it," she says. "I'm a great example. I'm from a small town in Kansas. A lot of people didn't think I'd end up playing here. Just keep chasing the dream and put in the work because you can do whatever you set your mind to."
And now the end is near.
"I'm so thankful," she says. "It feels like my career has gone by extremely fast. It really does fly by.
"I've cherished all of it."
There's a young girl out there in smalltown Kansas. She goes to K-State women's basketball games and she's chasing dreams.
Someday, she'd like to be like Emilee Ebert.
There's a young woman like her in almost every small town across America. The only difference is Emilee Ebert made it happen. Ebert chased her dreams. She achieved her dreams. She lived out the story that she'll talk about years from now at dinner parties. It's breathtaking, really, when you think about it, how an 8-year-old girl set her course at such an early age with visions of playing for her home state team, and made it happen.
Ebert set sail on a journey out of Frankfort, Kansas, that took her 42 miles south to major women's college basketball in Manhattan.
So often in life, things go undone. The best-intentioned plans fall apart. Other things, respectfully, and ultimately, take precedence. But not for Ebert. She was hooked on Kansas State and didn't let go. She played AAU basketball for Ohlde Elite and starred at Frankfort High School, playing under her father Brian, building toward her big chance.
"She said that she was going to do it and she got to do it," Brian says. "She's living out what she said she wanted to do."
For all of her life, she's been a dream chaser.
"I don't know what the percentage is, but most don't get that dream," K-State head coach Jeff Mittie says. "That's pretty special. It goes by fast. It's pretty special for her to do what she's done."
There were times she wasn't certain if her opportunity would come.
She was two days from going to Missouri State. She had signed with Missouri State. Then they had a coaching change. So Ebert was open to change as well. K-State associate head coach Brian Ostermann offered her a scholarship. She accepted the offer, drove to Manhattan one week later, and never looked back.
And now she's here, drawing close to her final game at Bramlage Coliseum, the place that's been like a second home for the past four years. She'll go out and do what she's enjoyed for so many years, and she'll play a game of basketball against Texas at 4 p.m. Saturday. For the Wildcats. Then she'll be recognized on Senior Day at midcourt in a postgame ceremony. She'll hug her family. She might tear up.
"This has meant the world to me," Ebert says. "This is where I always wanted to play. I was watching Kendra Wecker. I knew I wanted to play basketball here. It really means the world to me."
She was 3 years old the first time she picked up a basketball. One of the first words out her mouth was "ball." She was the ultimate gym rat before she rode a bike. Brian was head basketball coach at Frankfort High School. She dribbled the ball during practice. Then she began to shoot baskets. As she grew older, she challenged the boys to a game of PIG or HORSE. And she usually won.
She's been a part of many great wins at K-State and NCAA Tournaments and she's been a part of some stewing losses and she's played practically every position on the court at one time or another. Her father calls her "well rounded." And maybe that's the best way to put it. Ebert is well rounded. Always has been. She's been described as a playmaker. She's been described as the glue. Now she's the team's only active fourth-year senior and she's nearing the end of her career.
"It's kind of a surreal feeling," she says.
She's played in 112 games with 60 starts. She's averaged 21.0 minutes per game over her career. She has scored 530 points, grabbed 303 rebounds, dished out 227 assists, and has recorded 62 steals and 36 blocks. She has made 160 field goals, including 50 3-pointers, and has made 160 free throws.
"She's one of the smartest players we've had," Mittie says. "She's filled a lot of roles. She really is like a coach on the floor. She's been a really valuable piece."
She returns to Frankfort. Some people say, "Oh, that's Emilee. I've known her my whole life." But eyes open wide whenever she reads to classes at an elementary school. The kids, they look up to their hometown hero. And that's what she is: A hero to many.
"I'd say never stop chasing it," she says. "I'm a great example. I'm from a small town in Kansas. A lot of people didn't think I'd end up playing here. Just keep chasing the dream and put in the work because you can do whatever you set your mind to."
And now the end is near.
"I'm so thankful," she says. "It feels like my career has gone by extremely fast. It really does fly by.
"I've cherished all of it."
There's a young girl out there in smalltown Kansas. She goes to K-State women's basketball games and she's chasing dreams.
Someday, she'd like to be like Emilee Ebert.
Players Mentioned
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